Rosalie
Liam has on his corporate face. It’s like his armor. If it wasn’t for the way he’s squeezing my hand, I’d think he was totally fine.
Mrs. Campbell is all smiles. “Liam, this is Maggie, one of the tax lawyers who helped us when your father sold his business last year. We ran into each other yesterday, and we got to talking. I mentioned Chef Tebboune would be preparing the meal for our anniversary dinner. Maggie is the hugest fan, and I had an open seat for her next to Jack. I can’t wait to introduce them. Where is Jack, by the way?”
Liam gives a token look around before focusing on this mother. “I have no idea.”
So, this is a matchmaking play, and Maggie has wisely decided to pretend we’ve all never met. I can’t say I blame her. I have no idea what I’d do in her shoes.
She looks beautiful. Her gray dress is fitted and hits just below the knee. It looks like something she could wear in court, but she’s dressed it up with glam makeup and jewelry pieces that sparkle under the lights.
Mrs. Campbell gestures to me. “And this is Rosalie Barnes, Liam’s… date.”
“Girlfriend,” Liam corrects.
Maggie smiles. “Upgraded from date to girlfriend in a second. I take it it’s new?”
“Very new,” Mrs. Campbell says with a firm nod. “Though they’ve known each other for years.”
“That must be a good story.” Maggie has an evil gleam in her eye.
Mrs. Campbell pats Maggie’s hand. “It is. It’s a very good story, but I just spotted Jack. I really want you two to meet before you sit and get dazzled by the food and ignore each other completely. We can’t have that.” She leads Maggie away, linking their arms together. When Mrs. Campbell glances back at me, I expect a glare, but she winks. She almost looks… pleased.
“I’m confused.”
Liam’s smile is so big. “I know her approval doesn’t matter.”
“Was that approval?”
“I think so.”
“Are you sure she likes me?” I can’t help asking.
“She’s always liked you. She’s just coming around to the idea of you and me as a couple.”
“Aren’t we all.”
Liam turns and hugs me. Because he’s holding a glass, it’s all arms and no hands and we look ridiculous. “What has gotten into you lately?” I murmur.
“You just make everything easy to hope for.”
I pull away enough to look at him. “Liam, you take the gold medal when it comes to compliments. Now text your brother before he sticks his foot in his mouth.”
“Shoot. Jack!” Liam pulls his phone out of his jacket pocket and sends a text. And then a much longer one, which I assume is a heads-up on who exactly he’ll be sitting with all evening.
We can see Jack from across the room talking animatedly with his hands, but he’s either intent on ignoring his phone or has it on silent, because he continues on, saying something that makes Maggie throw back her head and laugh. His mom looks on in approval before retreating and leaving them to get to know each other.
Soon, Maggie is resting her hand on his arm and leaning in to hear him better. They’re two people insincerely getting their flirt on. It’s actually kind of sad, though I know it makes events like this bearable. I hope they both eventually find what they’re looking for.
It’s in that moment that I realize I don’t need stratagems or misdirection to get me through any of this. I don’t want to be ashamed of our story. I quite like it.
I get to test out my newfound epiphany right away, because a woman comes over and puts her arm around me. “You must be someone special to Liam. What’s your name and how did you two meet?”
It’s hard not to laugh at the timing. I can almost see Liam rehearsing what to say in his head, wanting so much to get it right for me. Which is why I look up at him when I answer. “I’m Rosie, and I’m the nanny for his kids. I love them so much. It was impossible not to fall in love with their dad, too.”
She melts, hugging us both as she explains she’s a hugger, without telling me who she is. Her perfume is strong and expensive. I like her immensely.
“Are you a friend of the Campbells?” I ask.